Schafer is likely to spend more time on the ice, up to 40 minutes, than any other player when Edinburgh come to South Wales for Elite League action on Thursday (7.30pm face-off).

The Devils have fired 25 goals in their last five matches, while Capitals come to South Wales after a 7-4 win against Newcastle.

Canadian defenceman Schafer, a Florida Panthers fourth round pick in 2004, is being asked to carry a heavy burden for Capitals – and he will be put to the test by Devils and their potent first line ogf Jon Pelle, Scott Matzka and Max Birbraer.

“I’m playing between 30 and 40 minutes every game right now and that’s more than I’m used to,” admits Schafer, who played alongside Birbraer for East Coast League Long Island Ice Dogs in 2005-06. “Doing that, you have to play smart and to get a win against Vipers after our 8-0 defeat in Sheffield is really good.

“We’re progressing as a team and getting better every time we play.”

Schafer is one of only three import D-men playing for Capitals, along with American Jacques Oerreault and Danish player Daniel Madsen.

Cardiff Devils are unbeaten in their last four matches and are keen to improve on that record when Edinburgh come Cardiff Bay Ice Arena on Thursday.

They will roll out three lines against Edinburgh and work to keep the Scots under pressure.

Devils have only one game next weekend, against Hull Stingrays away on Sunday.

There are no Elite games on Saturday because a League Select team, which includes Cardiff’s Matzka, is facing NHL team Boston Bruins at the Odyssey Arena in Northern Ireland.